❓ Hon. Robyn McSweeney questions the government regarding the proposed charges for licensing farm dams, particularly concerning the application of the 700mm rainfall threshold and potential impacts in the South West. The Minister's response provides clarification on the licensing fees, the meaning of 'generally' in the context of the rainfall threshold, and identifies Margaret River and Wilyabrup as areas of concern.
AnsweredQoN 4732Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s response to the Blueprint for water reform in Western Australia, and I ask -
(1) Will the Minister explain why the proposed charges for licensing of farm dams is so expensive?
(2) Recommendation 26 states, ‘Generally excluding from a licence farm dams in those parts of the State receiving rainfall below a threshold (say 700 millimetres)’, and I ask what the word generally means in this proposal?
(3) Recommendation 26 also states that ‘In some areas particularly in the South West land division, farm dams have the potential to significantly impact downstream water users and the environment’, and I ask for an example of exactly where this occurs in the South West and how many farms would be affected?
(1) Will the Minister explain why the proposed charges for licensing of farm dams is so expensive?
(2) Recommendation 26 states, ‘Generally excluding from a licence farm dams in those parts of the State receiving rainfall below a threshold (say 700 millimetres)’, and I ask what the word generally means in this proposal?
(3) Recommendation 26 also states that ‘In some areas particularly in the South West land division, farm dams have the potential to significantly impact downstream water users and the environment’, and I ask for an example of exactly where this occurs in the South West and how many farms would be affected?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 May 2007
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water Resources
Response time
54 days
(1) The Government does not consider the fee to recover the cost of administering water licences to be excessive. For example, 82% of existing licence holders will pay an annual fee of $325 or less. (2) In this situation, "generally" means that most farm dams in low rainfall areas will be excluded from having a licence as their impact on water availability would be minimal. However circumstances may arise where it will be necessary to licence some of these farm dams in order manage the competition between water users and impacts on the local environment. (3) Margaret River and Wilyabrup are areas in the South West that have seen an increase in the demand for water for the irrigation of wine grapes and are potentially areas where farm dams could impact downstream water users and the environment. As investigations in these areas are ongoing, the exact number of farms that may be affected is not known at this time.
(2) In this situation, "generally" means that most farm dams in low rainfall areas will be excluded from having a licence as their impact on water availability would be minimal. However circumstances may arise where it will be necessary to licence some of these farm dams in order manage the competition between water users and impacts on the local environment. (3) Margaret River and Wilyabrup are areas in the South West that have seen an increase in the demand for water for the irrigation of wine grapes and are potentially areas where farm dams could impact downstream water users and the environment. As investigations in these areas are ongoing, the exact number of farms that may be affected is not known at this time.
(3) Margaret River and Wilyabrup are areas in the South West that have seen an increase in the demand for water for the irrigation of wine grapes and are potentially areas where farm dams could impact downstream water users and the environment. As investigations in these areas are ongoing, the exact number of farms that may be affected is not known at this time.
(2) In this situation, "generally" means that most farm dams in low rainfall areas will be excluded from having a licence as their impact on water availability would be minimal. However circumstances may arise where it will be necessary to licence some of these farm dams in order manage the competition between water users and impacts on the local environment. (3) Margaret River and Wilyabrup are areas in the South West that have seen an increase in the demand for water for the irrigation of wine grapes and are potentially areas where farm dams could impact downstream water users and the environment. As investigations in these areas are ongoing, the exact number of farms that may be affected is not known at this time.
(3) Margaret River and Wilyabrup are areas in the South West that have seen an increase in the demand for water for the irrigation of wine grapes and are potentially areas where farm dams could impact downstream water users and the environment. As investigations in these areas are ongoing, the exact number of farms that may be affected is not known at this time.
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